Sitting across from Ayanna the others having gone to their rooms to give the Commander and Constable time to talk, Rathnal explained his experience in the Fade, leaving out the forms the demons had taken with him, explaining instead about the demons he had to kill to get to the others, the pedestals and the bizarre forms he had taken.

"I just don't understand how you could travel the Fade and do what you did when a mage could not."

Rathnal shrugged his shoulders. "I have no answers for you and I certainly wasn't going to ask the First Enchanter or Knight Commander; I think they might never have allowed me to leave if I had. I will say I never want to repeat the experience, so anything else to do with the Circle is on you."

Ayanna worried at her lip but nodded. "Do you want to talk about what you saw in your part of the Fade? You have been deliberately avoiding it."

"I just want to forget it."

"Rath I am your Constable as well as your friend, you can always talk to me and I won't judge; besides it might help to talk about it."

Staring at his hands Rathnal felt his resistance drain, his voice a whisper. "It was awful."

Ayanna remained silent when he finally began speaking, holding in her horror, feeling sick to her stomach. Instead of saying anything when he had finished she moved over to him and hugged him. "I don't care if this is inappropriate, this is what you need."

Relaxing into her embrace Rathnal sighed softly. "You know I didn't think there could be anything worse than seeing them die, but those bloody demons made me kill them and I knew they were demons, but I can't seem to separate it. I feel like I killed them! I thought Darkspawn were the worst things I would ever come across, but demons …" He pulled back slightly to meet her gaze. "How do you stand it?"

"As a mage you need to train your mind to be a fortress. You need to recognise your limitations, your drives, the source of your desires, anger and pain because the demons can twist anything if they manage to get a foothold. You can't afford to give them any way in, but sometimes that isn't possible and it comes down to pure will."

"Do you … do you feel them all the time?"

Sighing slightly Ayanna shook her head. "No, but in my worst moments, when the grief feels too much to bear, or the anger seems as though it will explode out of me they draw closer hoping to find a way in." She met his concerned gaze. "I know myself Rath; I will not be seduced by the lies of demons, no matter how much I wish things were different." She smiled as his hand covered hers and squeezed.

"We should get some sleep; I want to leave for Rainsefere as soon as possible in the morning." With a sigh he stood feeling exhausted and as though he had aged twenty years. Each step up to the bedrooms seemed to be ten, though he did allow a slight smile as Ayanna slipped into the room closest to the stairs, briefly seeing her move into Aedan's arms. Romantic relationships within the Order were not encouraged, but neither were they prevented. It was foolish to think that the Wardens would not want intimacy and more, especially with all they faced, but the chances of losing a brother or sister Warden were great and if the bond was of a lover, the pain of loss was so much more. Rathnal sighed, knowing he would take the precious moments he had with Rinna rather than spend the rest of his life however long that was alone. Heading into his own room he leaned heavily against the door, smiling to see Rinna sleeping in the bed. Slipping out of his clothes he joined her trying not to wake her, but almost relieved when she opened her eyes and snuggled against him, glad to feel her warmth as he wrapped his arms around her. "Are you alright?" He murmured, feeling the tension in her back.

"I dealt with death everyday as a Crow, unexpected, cruel, brutal, swift, slow, but never have I witnessed anything like that." She allowed herself to relax feeling Rathnal's hand move gently up and down her arm. "I … I wanted to thank you for your help in the Fade. I suppose it probably seemed strange."

"No more than anything else there." Rathnal murmured sleepily.

"You were right, it was a proud moment, getting through Crow training is brutal and if I had failed so close to the end … being in the Fade I felt so alone."

"You aren't alone Rinna."

"I know." She whispered kissing him gently before resting her head on his chest. She realised with some surprise that while after Taliesan's betrayal she had never truly expected to trust anyone apart from Zevran again; after the events in the Circle she trusted her Commander and lover with her life and more surprisingly with her heart, a smile gracing her lips as she sank into sleep.

Feeling Rinna relax in his arms Rathnal closed his eyes relieved she was with him. He wasn't sure if she would appreciate his more affectionate feelings for her; Rinna was about passion and living in the moment, but he imagined bringing her home to his grandfather, wondering what he would make of her, of them both. Smiling slightly he drifted to sleep, finding himself back in the Alienage and sharing a drink with his grandfather, the old man's proud smile shielding him from any nightmares.

xXx

Splashing her face with cool water from the stream Wynne stretched and sighed. Despite them making the journey to Rainesfere a little easier on her feet, she would have preferred not to travel by horse, or rather the particular horse she had been assigned; it seemed to delight in making her journey as uncomfortable as possible. Given the Darkspawn and the bandits preying on refugees, along with travelling with their King, Lord Cousland and his family, Bann Teagan and a still immobile Dairren who was travelling in a carriage that had been quickly adapted to make the journey more comfortable for him, travelling was dangerous. The Cousland soldiers and Teagan's personal guard remained with the group at all times, the young Captain and those under his command had created a perimeter and scouted ahead, so far dealing with any threats long before they reached them.

She worried at her lip; the Wardens were to join them at Rainesfere. She had expected to be summoned back to the Circle, but it appeared that Captain William's apparent silver tongue worked even on Gregior, or the young man had played a hand that not even the Knight Commander could go against, though she could not imagine what that would be. She knew there had been some kind of trouble, but the Captain would say no more than that, explaining he did not know the details and the Wardens would tell them everything when they arrived. She knew she enjoyed more freedom than other mages in the Ferelden Circle it being one of the strictest apart from Kirkwall of course, yet she was still surprised not to have to return immediately. Relief however was her greatest emotion, returning to the Circle in her current state was hardly desirable. She felt the warmth of the spirit within her trying to soothe her and she allowed it feeling her body relax; maintaining calm particularly around Ser Matthew was wearing her out. She knew her spirit would never harm anyone, but that did not mean anyone would believe that and it did not mean she was any less an abomination, yet she couldn't quite believe the spirit that had saved her had warped her. Perhaps she was not an abomination, but telling anyone her secret would be disastrous, though at times she saw Dylan looking at her and feared at the very least he suspected something was different about her. She allowed her mind to wander over her many years of friendship with Irving, knowing without doubt all of those years would count for nothing if he discovered she had not returned from death alone. Indeed if any of her students or peers came to her in this situation she herself would inform the Templars immediately. She had approached Ser Matthew, but in the end she had not revealed her secret, instead reminding him of his duties with the others, almost choking on her own hypocrisy. Shivering she imagined the fate that would await her should her circumstances be discovered. They would take her to Aeonar if they did not execute her immediately upon discovery and whatever life remained to her would be spent in that terrible place. She thought of the events of her life good and bad and she could not allow that to be her end.

She supposed that was why she had taken the opportunity to speak to the young Captain when they had camped for the night. Of course she was fascinated by the events at Haven, but it was also enough to take her mind however briefly from her own predicament. A part of her was desperate to travel the Gauntlet herself to confirm if this was truly Andraste or simply a spirit, but all those who had seen her were convinced and given the Guardian apparently knew things about them, she feared him revealing the spirit within her. So instead she contented herself with speaking to those who had journeyed to Haven and participated in the Gauntlet. She had questioned the Captain on the supposed grievous nature of the wound he sustained at Ostagar and that he had survived at all, startled when he freely admitted that Witches of the Wilds had saved him. She realised that while she had found him a likable young man when he visited he Circle, she was now becoming fond of him, particularly since she had discovered he had offered his pinch of Andraste's Ashes to Lord Dairren. It was clear he wanted Dairren to have them now rather than waiting, but she couldn't help feeling gratified that the young Lord had enough faith in her to refuse them, for the moment at least. She had to admit she was not so sure she had such faith in herself. Every spell she had expected to work had ended in failure, or only had marginal success, but they were making progress, slow as that was. Yet despite liking William she was convinced he was not telling everything about his experience in Haven. She had dealt with enough young men and indeed women hiding things from her to trust her gut. There was no hint in his tone or body language to make her suspicious and yet she would have bet all of her considerable magical skills that he was holding something back. This time however she had held her tongue; her experience with the young Lord Mac Tir and losing the opportunity with the truth potion because of her lack of subtlety was not something she intended to repeat. She had approached Sten but the warrior was disinclined to answer her questions and she was certainly not fool enough to push him. She did notice he and the Captain spent a great deal of time together at camp, the little she overheard seemed to concern the Qunari's way of life and Seheron. She wondered if the Captain was just being polite, but he seemed genuinely interested. She smiled slightly; he was a lot like Genitivi in his thirst for knowledge. Seeing Delilah settle near the campfire Wynne made her way over to her. "May I join you my Lady?"

Nodding Delilah moved over on the log to allow Wynne to sit next to her. "Are you alright?"

"I am well thank you."

Delilah nodded turning her gaze back to the small campfire and beyond to the carriage behind it. "Do you think Lord Dairren will ever walk again?"

"I truly hope so. I hear you were against the use of the Ashes for him."

Delilah flushed; Jayden was still being a little cool with her because of that. "I merely thought they could be used to attempt to retrieve the King's memories. I admit I did not think of Lord Dairren as I believed you were making progress with your spells. I should have spoken to William before I went to the Arl and his Majesty, it was a foolish mistake. I just … I want Cailan to be whole again."

"We all do." Wynne soothed, a comfortable silence forming between them and it was some moments before she spoke again. "May I ask what it was like, being in Holy Andraste's presence?"

Delilah sighed softly the memory of the Gauntlet still as strong as though it had just happened. "It was wonderful, a peace I have never known. I felt … cleansed."

"And you believe it was truly her?"

"I do. I cannot explain it, but I just know in my very soul it was her." She met Wynne's searching look. "Perhaps speak to Leliana, as a Sister of the Chantry she may be able to help with your queries."

Smiling Wynne nodded, the Sister travelling with them to her new assignment in Rainesfere certainly provided the opportunity to have such a conversation "Perhaps I shall. I shall leave you to your thoughts my Lady."

Delilah watched as Wynne crossed the campsite towards Leliana, the two women settling on the grass and speaking at length. She turned as Thomas joined her.

"What did the mage want?"

"She wanted to ask me about my experience in Haven. You really do not like her do you?"

Shrugging Thomas glanced in the Senior Enchanters direction. "I doubt I am going to trust any mage any time soon."

"They are not all blood mages brother."

"But they could all become one and that terrifies me." He forced a smile as she squeezed his hand. "I am being tolerant, but you cannot blame me for being watchful."

"Nor do I; I think we should all be watchful." Movement caught the periphery of her vision and she noticed Jayden speaking softly to Dairren and Gabriel before he went to check on the horses, Airyl as always accompanying him. "If you will excuse me Thomas there is something I need to do."

Realising where she was going he caught her arm. "De I know you love him, but you cannot think to have a relationship with him in his current situation."

"Why not?" Delilah demanded in a whisper.

"For one thing I am not supposed to know who he is and I will be forced to defend your honour!"

"Because of a kiss!"

"Is that truly only as far as this has gone? The way you look at him ..."

"For Makers sake Thomas!"

"Just … just be sensible De, please. I do not want to have to duel him; not just because he is my friend, but because I do not think I would win and it would be bloody embarrassing. Not to mention if your honour is called into question by anyone else ..." He glanced meaningfully to Teagan, Cailan and Fergus. "It is Will who will suffer."

"I will be more discreet, but I will not stay away from him. Besides I do not think you need concern yourself about me, my betrothed is an honourable man."

"Lucky for you." He muttered.

Smiling Delilah gave him a quick hug before she headed across the camp, hesitating and smiling as she heard Jayden talking to the animals, realising how affectionate each horse was with him. "You have a real gift with animals."

Jayden turned stifling a yawn. "From my grandpa I think."

"He was a nice man."

"He was."

Delilah sighed softly aching to be held in his arms. "You are still angry with me about the Ashes."

"Not angry just disappointed."

"Because I wish our King to be himself again?"

"Of course not, I want that too, but you were so dismissive of Dairren, as though he meant nothing!"

"That is not how I meant it and I would hope by know you would know me well enough to …"

"But that's just it Delilah, how well do we really know each other? Everyone in that room including you all just assumed I would hand the Ashes over, as though I had no right to decide their use! Who receives them should be my choice." He sighed softly. "You should have come to me first before you went to the Arl and gave Cailan hope."

Delilah frowned as she searched his gaze, before she moved over to him. "That is true and I am sorry I did not speak to you first, but I do not think your disappointment is just about that, not truly. I believe this is about you being tired of being dismissed by people that you are technically on an equal standing with. I understand truly I do. Many including your friends and family dismissed your warnings of a Blight and yet here we are and we both know if the Arl had known who you really are, he would never have spoken to you like that." She hushed his protest gently squeezing his hand. "You think I do not know you? Are you really so different from the adventurous boy you were who was always getting into trouble of some kind?" She gently cupped his right cheek her thumb stroking his jaw. "You are brave and burdened by responsibility that should never have been yours; you are kind and generous and you go out of your way to help people. You make me feel safe, but you are also hard on people, though harder on yourself. People make mistakes; can say things without thinking sometimes, but that does not mean they are bad people. Have you never said anything unthinking yourself?" She reached up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, relieved when she felt the gentle touch of fingers moving through her hair, her heart pounding as he deepened their kiss. When they finally pulled apart she smiled warmly. "I am sorry I spoke without thinking, I just … I wanted Cailan to be whole again. In future I will talk things through with you, after all we are in this together." Delilah felt relief as his gaze softened, sinking into the warmth of his kiss.

xXx

Returning to the campfire lost in thought about his relationship with Delilah, Jayden settled on a log glancing up as Matthew settled next to him.

"Maker I swear I am going to go mad."

"Really?"

He rolled his eyes at Jayden's amused look. "It isn't funny."

"You haven't told me what the problem is yet."

"Enchanter Wynne!" He muttered in exasperation. "Sorry, Senior Enchanter Wynne. Maker she treats me like a naughty child. For a mage she sure is bent on ensuring I follow my duties to the letter."

"Maybe she is just more comfortable with those defined roles; she has been in the Circle for a long time."

"Well aren't you being understanding."

"I do try."

"Well maybe you should have been the Templar!"

Jayden laughed softly. "No thank you."

"Well I must admit I'm glad you didn't take the Seeker up on his offer. You can be hard enough now, Maker knows what you would be like as a Seeker." He hesitated at the look of worry crossing his friends face. "Will?"

"You are the second person today to say I am hard on people."

Matthew shrugged. "You are in a command role, you have to be. Besides you are not like some commanders who are lazy and incompetent." Leaning over he gripped his shoulder. "Will those under your command would follow you to the Void, you know that right?"

"I know, but is it for the right reasons?"

Matthew shook his head and grinned. "Don't go getting insecure on us now Will, but just to soothe your conscience they follow you because they respect you and they know you would never ask them to do something you are not prepared to do yourself. You are a good man Will and while I know there is a part of you wanting to be buried in books and maps, damn you were born to lead. Trust me. I mean you even have a Qunari following you."

"Sten is here because of the Blight and the Wardens."

"He might be in Ferelden because of the Blight, but he is here with us because of you."

Jayden shook his head but allowed himself to relax, his command style might be harsh, but it was not without reason.

"Come on, get some sleep." Matthew demanded yawning loudly and heading off to his tent.

Jayden caught Delilah's gaze, flushing at the desire filled look before she slipped into her tent, sighing in frustration with himself and heading to the stream for yet another dip in the cold water, wondering if this was going to be his life for the remainder of the Blight. He nodded to Wynne on his way past, Airyl whining softly as she trotted after him wanting to settle down for the night.

Nipping at her lower lip Wynne inwardly sighed, she had suspected something was happening between the Captain and Lady Howe. She understood all too well the attractions of youth and those forbidden relationships were all the more tantalising, but she liked both young people and did not wish them to do something that could well destroy them both. She silently headed back towards the camp trying to decide on the best course to intervene.

xXx

Yawning loudly Tess nodded to Gabriel who arrived to relieve her from her post. "How's Dairren?"

"Sleeping, he had sensation in his fingers and toes again, it was so painful for him Dylan gave him a sleeping potion." He sighed rubbing his eyes feeling exhausted with worry.

"Why won't he just use the Ashes? There is no need to go through this pain."

"I've told him that a thousand times. I think Arl Eamon spoke to him before we left, I saw him leaving the room. Dairren won't tell me what he said, but I reckon the bastard threatened him."

"Gabe!" Tess hissed glancing around anxiously.

"I know, I know, but damn it Tess we know the Arl had a go at Will about the Ashes and got no-where. Darrien is hardly in any position to defend himself so he went after him I know he did."

"And he won't tell you what he said?"

"He said there was nothing for me to worry about and the Arl was just wishing him well."

"Well we can't force him to tell us." Tess worried at her lip. "What about speaking to Will?"

"Why would he tell Will?"

"He probably wouldn't, but Will is friends with Warden Cousland and he and Darrien have been friends for years. Maybe he would tell him what the Arl said."

"He would know I said something." Gabriel slumped against a tree.

"Then maybe suggest he speak to Aedan himself. Sometimes it's easier to tell a friend than … well then someone closer."

"That obvious is it?"

"I knew you staying near him wasn't just about guilt and the way you look at him … I …"

"We were supposed to keep our hearts out of it."

"Gabe I know what it's like to love someone I'm not supposed to, but the heart is never so easy."

"I can't lose him Tess." He turned away at the choke in his voice, sighing as Tess moved around him and hugged him.

"You won't. We will do everything we can to make sure of it, I promise."

xXx

Snuggling against his mother with Rascal lying pressed against his leg, Oren gazed across the campsite watching his father, Cailan and Teagan talking. He glanced to the edges of the campsite trying to see into the darkness.

"The soldiers have created a perimeter around the camp sweetheart, we are safe. Come now, time for you to get some sleep."

"I know." He smiled as Rascal sat up and licked his cheek before assuming a guarding position. "It's alright Rascal you need sleep too." A little reluctantly he moved into the tent, giggling as Rascal sniffed around the tent a blanket getting caught on his paw. Kneeling down and freeing his leg Oren hugged the mabari, pulling him over and settling on the cot, Rascal sitting near him knowing the mabari would remain awake as long as he did.

"Get some sleep sweetheart." Oriana stated, gently kissing his forehead, fondly patting Rascal before she slipped back outside; smiling as Fergus joined her.

"Is Oren alright?"

"A little nervous."

"Perhaps I should tell him a story."

"I think he would like that." Smiling as Fergus clasped her hand and pulled her gently back into the tent, she sighed softly to see Rascal on the cot, his head lifting up before lying back down; Oren snuggled against him fast asleep.

"I think the best thing we ever did was take him with us when the twins went to see the mabari pups."

Oriana smiled, despite her initial reservations Rascal had proven himself and she couldn't imagine life without him.

xXx

Walking to the edge of camp Teagan indulged in a rare moment by himself, gazing at the stars; another half days travel should see them at his estate and he was very eager to see his wife again. The nights had been long and lonely without her and his welcome at Redcliffe had hardly been warm or even particularly accommodating. He sighed irritably as he thought of Isolde, she was using Connor against him and he was beginning to hate her for it. He had barely been allowed to see his own nephew after he had allowed the Cousland's to stay and their goodbye had been brief with Isolde practically dragging Connor away from him. He exhaled slowly and uncurled his fingers that had unconsciously clenched into fists. Eamon had been only a fraction warmer in his manner and just as eager to see him leave. He suspected Isolde had whispered in his ear that he sought the Arling for himself. He almost choked at the absurdity of it. If not for Eamon pressuring him to return to Ferelden he would have remained in the Free Marches. He had never wanted Redcliffe and that had not changed, in fact if it were not for Connor he would have nothing more to do with his brother and Isolde. He glanced across the campsite seeing Cailan heading into the tent they were sharing. He wondered how his nephew would react to being a father, chiding himself for feeling envious, this was not a situation to wish upon anyone. However the ache to be a father himself grew stronger every day and he couldn't help the silent prayer that once this Blight was over he would be blessed with a child of his own. Smiling to himself he retired to his tent hoping his dreams would be of Loretta and the family he hoped one day they would have.

xXx

As dawn light slowly caressed the waters of Lake Calenhad, Knight Commander Gregior yawned loudly. Slumping into the seat in his office, he rubbed his hands over his face; it had been the longest night of his life. Looking down the list of the bodies of the Templars, he felt a rush of despair. He had never known the loss of so many Templars in his entire career. Those who had survived were hurt, traumatised and in no real condition to carry out their duties though they were. They were all men and women of deep faith, who now more than ever embraced their role of protectors against the evils of magic. Yet he felt a gut deep worry gnaw at him; those who had survived had already begun to harden after Eloen and Jowan had turned to blood magic and with the arrival of the Seeker they had bristled at the criticism laid heavily at their feet. They had been seen as failing in their duty then and now with this catastrophe it was the Templars who would be blamed. Their skills and devotion would be called into question, all their good work destroyed by a mage gone mad.

He sighed softly. Templars needed to be hard to do the work they did, they needed to be distant from their charges because of what they might be called upon to do, but duty demanded much and it was a difficult task, inevitably bonds formed between mage and Templar, they were men and women after all first and foremost. While they were often antagonistic with each other he considered Irving a friend as well as Senior Enchanter Wynne and the relief that both still lived was almost overwhelming. He shook his head aware of the hypocrisy; he actively discouraged both friendships and romantic relationships between Templar and mage knowing all too well the potentially terrible consequences. However friendship and love was something that at times bridged the mage, Templar breach as nothing else did, but such relationships inevitably had consequences for both parties and now with recent events, mages and Templars were more than ever on opposite sides of an ever greater divide.

xXx

Enchanter Leane squeezed out the blood drenched cloth into the bucket, scrubbing the floor fiercely not bothering to stop to wipe her tears, blurred vision an advantage in some ways to stop her seeing too closely what she was cleaning up. They had started in the young apprentice dormitories, cleaning the floors and walls of blood, the bodies having been removed by the Templars. She shuddered remembering their small fragile bodies, a wretched sob muffled against the back of her hand not wanting to alert anyone to her distress. She turned sharply hearing footsteps seeing Ser Henry standing in the doorway, he looked as exhausted and troubled as she felt. Fear pierced her heart, but instead of hate and distrust she saw only compassion and longing. Trembling she stood, weeping as he crossed the room and gently embraced her. "I feared you would hate me."

"How could I ever hate you?" He murmured. "You did not do this. This madness is of Uldred's doing and you did not fall to weakness as others did." He felt her tremble and murmured soothingly into her hair, gently tilting her chin and kissing her. "No matter what happens my feelings for you have not changed, nor will they, but we will have to be much more careful."

"I understand." She whispered, feeling her body ache as he moved back from her and despite the tenderness in his eyes she wasn't sure their love would last in the weeks and months to come.

Ser Henry turned towards the door, paling as he caught sight of burgundy material. He hurried to the door his heart pounding seeing no-one in the corridor. They were all jumpy and it could have been a trick of his mind, but fear beat in his chest.

xXx

Clenching his fists to stop the tremble Cullen slumped onto a bench in the Chapel finally giving in to exhaustion. After refusing to allow any mage near to heal him, he had joined his fellow Templars in retrieving the bodies of their fallen comrades. It had been hard, brutal work and he had broken down upon seeing Dominic again, but mercifully he had been alone, though Ser Emund joined him moments after he had managed to pull himself together. He suspected he had waited outside, but he didn't ask and Emund didn't say anything. Together they had taken Dominic's body to be placed with the others. Even the Knight Commander had been shaken with the trauma Dominic had clearly suffered. All of the Templars had been accounted for, only one body was missing, that of Ser Tamara and her body would never be recovered. He stared at the small statue of Andraste, he had known about Dominic and Tamara, but had said nothing, hadn't seen the harm, but he knew now he should have at least tried to intervene. Tamara had been so devastated by his loss that she had given into the lies of a demon and he was furious with her for it. Dominic could have given in, ended his suffering but he had held out to the end. He shuddered at his own torture, at the things he had seen, real and those created by the demons and he had not broken, though perhaps he had, just in a different way.

His distrust of mages had been growing since the terrible betrayal of Eloen and Jowan and after this nothing would be the same. How could he look at any of them and not suspect them of forbidden magic? Yet more than ever he knew he could not abandon his calling; he had chosen this life, sought it out and he would not turn his back on it now. He would not let others turn their backs either. Seeing Ser Henry with the mage had chilled him to the bone, but he would not allow another Templar to fall because of such weakness. A weakness he understood only too well, however he had never given into it and never would. Mages were dangerous and losing sight of that was not something any of them could afford.

xXx

Yawning loudly Sam tried to concentrate on the book he had been given, what he needed was sleep, but he had seen the way the Templars were watching them and he didn't trust them any more than they trusted mages. He glanced down to Tara who had become his shadow, her eyes wide and frightened by all she had seen and heard. She hadn't talked much as a rule, a quiet timid girl whose family had handed her to the Chantry the moment her magic had manifested. She had been four years old, the youngest recorded mage in the Ferelden Circle at least. She barely remembered her family four years on; Sam wondered if that was a blessing or not. Peter was also curled up next to them only just having his seventh name day and recently brought to the Circle. His family had hidden him for a year before a disgruntled worker on a neighbouring farm informed the Templars of his suspicions and Peter had been forcibly removed from his family. He glanced to the First Enchanter who was quietly talking to Petra, offering a tiny smile as Karl came and sat at the table. "Are you alright Karl?"

"I am Sam, thank you for asking. Are you well?"

Sam glanced to Tara and Peter who had fallen asleep. "Not really." He whispered. "I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"That the Templars will make us all Tranquil." He glanced to Karl anxiously. "Is it awful being Tranquil?"

"I remember being afraid for myself and others, now I am free of it. The fear is gone and instead I have a purpose."

"You had a purpose before." Sam whispered. "You were a healer."

"Sometimes our purpose must change. Being Tranquil is preferable to death."

"What does being Tranquil feel like?"

"It does not feel like anything."

"Aren't you worried about the Templars at all now? They hate us more than ever."

"I no longer feel worry or fear. I serve."

Sam gave a frustrated sigh. "You remember you bashed that demon to death right? Tranquil aren't supposed to be able to commit violence." He frowned as Karl's expression remained neutral. "Just be careful, promise me."

"Sam …"

"Promise me!" Sam snapped.

"As you wish; I promise I will be careful."

Sam frowned, glancing to the First Enchanter, no longer having faith that the old man who had seemed so wise and powerful when he had first arrived at the Circle would be able to protect them. I will keep us safe … somehow.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.